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Daniel's Amazing
2300 Day Prophecy
Revealed!
What is the meaning of the key prophecy in Daniel’s eighth chapter?
Who is the ram and the goat? What about the mysterious 2300
“days”? Who is the “little horn”? In this article we take a look at the
amazing DUALITY of Biblical prophecy and the incredible fulfillment
of Daniel 8 – both in history, leading up to our day, and a final fulfillment of this amazing Bible prophecy in our END-TIME generation!
William F. Dankenbring
The world was astounded at the “shock and awe” of the United States military assault on
Iraq in 2002. Never in all history has so much military power and so many bombs been used in
so short a space of time. More cruise missiles and satellite-guided bombs were exploded in
Bagdad in the first day than during the entire Gulf War I in 1991.
Was this ferocious assault by the Western powers against Iraq, the end-time
Babylon/Assyria remnant nation in the Middle East prophesied in the Bible? The amazing
answer is – absolutely! When we look at the details, this awesome war was vividly portrayed
in advance -- some 2,500 years ago, by the prophet Daniel!
But much more than that – the Six Day War of Israel in 1967 was also vividly laid out
2,500 years in advance in the prophecies of the book of Daniel!
Let’s understand this amazing prophecy, which God Almighty has given to WARN us of
things yet to happen, before the coming of the Messiah!
A New Look at Daniel, Chapter Eight -The Shaggy Goat and the Ram
In the book of Daniel the prophet is a most puzzling prophecy that has dumfounded
Biblical students and researchers for thousands of years. It is found in chapter 8. We read: “In
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the third year of King Belshazzar’s reign, I, Daniel, had a vision . . . In my vision I saw myself
in the citadel of Susa in the province of Elam; in the vision I was beside the Ulai Canal. I
looked up, and there before me was a ram with two horns, standing beside the canal, and the
horns were long. One of the horns was longer than the other but grew up later. I watched the
ram as he charged toward the west and the north and the south. No animal could stand against
him, and none could rescue from his power. He did as he pleased and became great.
“As I was thinking about this, suddenly a goat with a prominent horn between his eyes
came from the WEST, crossing the whole earth without touching the ground. He came toward
the two-horned ram I had seen standing beside the canal and charged at him in great rage. I
saw him attack the ram furiously, striking the ram and shattering his two horns. The ram was
powerless to stand against him; the goat knocked him to the ground and trampled on him, and
none could rescue the ram from his power. The goat became very great, but at the height of his
power his large horn was broken off, and in its place four prominent horns grew up toward the
four winds of heaven” (Dan.8:1-8).
The angel Gabriel explains to Daniel the basic meaning of this vision. In verse 20, he
says, “The two-horned ram that you saw represents the kings of Media and Persia” -- that is,
the Persian Empire. “The shaggy goat is the king of Greece, and the large horn between his
eyes is the first king” -- that is, Alexander the Great. “The four horns that replaced the one that
was broken off represent four kingdoms that will emerge from his nation but will not have the
same power” (vs.20-22). After the death of Alexander by fever in Babylon, his natural brother
and two sons were murdered. The kingdom was therefore divided up between Alexander's
four top generals, with Seleucus obtaining Syria and Babylon in the east, Cassander ruling
Greece and Macedonia in the west, Ptolemy ruling in Egypt to the south, and Lysimachus
ruling over Thrace, Cappadocia, and northern Asia Minor in the north.
This prophecy was amazingly fulfilled. Alexander’s forces -- composed of 30,000
mobile cavalry -- moved so rapidly it was as if they traveled “without touching the ground”
(v.5). He attacked the Persians with fury and unheard-of violence, representing the
concentrated wrath of Greece against the Persians because of previous Persian invasions of
Greece and the cruelty they had shown, as well as Darius's attempts to seduce Alexander's
soldiers to treachery. In the Greco-Persian battles, Adam Clarke tells us in his commentary:
“The conflicts between the Greeks and the Persians were excessively severe. Alexander
FIRST vanquished the generals of Darius, at the river Granicus, in Phrygia; he next
attacked and totally routed Darius, at the straits of Issus, in Cilicia; and afterwards at
the plains of Arbela, in Assyria. One can hardly read these words, says Bishop Newton
'the ram -- which I had seen standing by the river, ran unto him in the fury of his power,'
without having the image of Darius' army STANDING AND GUARDING THE RIVER
GRANICUS; and of Alexander on the other side, with his forces plunging in swimming
across the stream, and rushing on the enemy, with all the FIRE AND FURY that can be
conceived” (Clarke’s Commentary, vol.1, p.597, emphasis mine throughout).
The date of Alexander's world-changing, bench-mark invasion of Asia was 334 B.C.
Thus the date of the vision of the shaggy goat smashing the two-horned ram begins with this
incredible victory of the Greeks over the Persian army in 334 B.C.
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But after Alexander's lightning-like conquests, he mysteriously died in Babylon and his
kingdom was divided. The prophetic vision of Daniel 8 then continues: “Out of one of them
[the four horns or kings that divided up the Empire] came another horn, which started small but
grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it
reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and
trampled on them. It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily
sacrifice from him and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. Because of REBELLION,
the host of the saints, and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it
did, and truth was thrown to the ground.
“Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, ‘How long will it
take for the vision to be fulfilled -- the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that
causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled
underfoot?' He said to me, ‘It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will
be reconsecrated’” (Dan.8:9-14). What is the real meaning of this strange vision?
The Role of Antiochus Epiphanes
All Bible students and commentators recognize that the “little horn” that grew up and
became powerful, and which invaded the Holy Land, took away the daily sacrifice and
desolated the Temple of God in Jerusalem, was Antiochus Epiphanes, the king of Syria. His
empire spread across the whole Middle East, and he hated the religion of the Jews. Says the
Critical, Experimental Commentary by Jamieson, Fausett and Brown:
“This horn is explained (v.23) to be ‘a king of fierce countenance,’ etc. Antiochus
Epiphanes is meant. Greece, with all its refinement, produces the first -- ie., the Old
Testament ANTICHRIST. Antiochus had an extraordinary love of art, which expressed
itself in grand temples. He wished to substitute Zeus Olympius for Jehovah at Jerusalem.
Thus, first, heathen civilization from below and revealed religion from above came into
collision. Identifying himself with Jupiter, his aim was to make his own worship universal (cf. v.25 with ch.11:36): so mad was he in this that he was called Epimanes
(maniac) instead of Epiphanes (illustrious). None of the previous world rulers . . . had
systematically opposed the Jews’ religious worship. . . . He is the forerunner of the final
Antichrist, standing in the same relation to the first advent of Christ that Antichrist does
to His second coming” (vol.1, p.427).
The prophecy of Daniel was fulfilled to the very letter. Many in Israel were adopting
Hellenistic customs, erecting theaters, gymnasiums, began regarding all religions as alike -much like our modern western world and its new-found thrust for "church unity" and respect
for all religions. Jews sacrificed to God, but also sent money to pay for sacrifices to Hercules.
In the book of Maccabees, we read: “Many also of the Israelites consented to his [Antiochus']
religion, and sacrificed unto idols, and profaned the Sabbath” (I Macc.1:20-53).
The Critical, Experimental Commentary continues the story of Antiochus:
“Returning from Persia Antiochus came to Ecbatana, after having been put to flight by
the people of Persepolis. 'Swelling with anger he thought to avenge upon the Jews the
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disgrace so done to him, and threatened proudly that he would come to Jerusalem and
make a common burying-place of the Jews. . . . He not only opposes God's ancient
people, but God Himself. The daily sacrifice -- one lamb was offered in the morning
and another in the evening (Exo.29:38,39). was taken away -- by Antiochus” (ibid.).
The first book of Maccabees tells us the details: “The King forbad burnt offerings and
sacrifice and drink offerings in the temple, and [ordered] that they should sacrifice swine's
flesh . . . Now in the fifteenth day of the month Kislev, they set up the abomination of
desolation upon the altar . . . and they did sacrifice upon the idol-altar, which was upon the
altar of God” (I Macc.1:20,24,54, 59).
These calamities were directly due to the rebellion of many Jews to the laws of God and a
widespread apostasy afflicting the land. The first book of Maccabees relates further:
“In those days went there out of Israel wicked men, who persuaded many, saying,
'Let us go and make a covenant with the heathen that are round about us . . .
Whereupon they built a place of exercise (a school) at Jerusalem, according to the
customs of the heathen; and made themselves uncircumcised and forsook the holy
covenant, and joined themselves to the heathen, and were sold to do mischief”
(I Macc.1:11-16).
The Mysterious 2300 Days
In Daniel’s vision, he saw one angel say to another that the vision concerning the daily
sacrifice, the rebellion, and the host being trampled underfoot, was to be “2300 evenings and
mornings.” To what does this enigmatic expression refer?
The Critical, Experimental Commentary gives us the historical answer. Notice!
“Unto two thousand and three hundred days -- lit., mornings and evenings, specified
in connection with the morning and evening sacrifice. Cf. Gen.1:5. SIX YEARS
AND 110 DAYS. This includes not only the three and a half years during which the
daily sacrifice was forbidden by Antiochus (Josephus Belllum Judaicum, i, 1, sec.1),
BUT THE WHOLE SERIES OF EVENTS whereby it was practically interrupted:
beginning with the ‘little horn waxing great toward the pleasant land,’ and ‘casting down
some of the host’ (vs.9-10); viz., WHEN IN 171 B.C., or the month Sivan . . . THE
SACRIFICES BEGAN TO BE NEGLECTED, owing to the high priest Jason introducing at Jerusalem Grecian customs and amusements -- the palestra and gymnasium;
ending with the DEATH OF ANTIOCHUS, 165 B.C.” (p.428).
In other words, the period of 2300 days meant literal days in the fulfillment which
occurred during the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes. This was the period of APOSTASY or
REBELLION which began in 171 B.C. and ended in 165 B.C. with the cleansing and
restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem by the revolt led by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers.
The period of wholesale apostasy lasted 6 years and 110 days -- or 2300 days.
The second book of Maccabees tells us, “Jason. . . labored underhand to be high priest . .
. he forthwith brought his own nation to the Greekish fashion. . . . For he built gladly a place of
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exercise under the tower itself, and brought the chief young men under his subjection. . . . Now
such was the height of Greek fashions, and increase in heathenish manners through the
exceeding profaneness of Jason, that ungodly wretch and no high priest; that the priests had no
courage to serve any more at the altar, but despising the temple, and NEGLECTING THE
SACRIFICES, hastened to be partakers of the unlawful allowance in the place of exercise,
after the game of Discus called them forth” (II Macc.4:7-14).
What was so abominable about having a sports stadium near the Temple of God?
Gymnastics, running, throwing, and athletics was not the problem as such -- but, as Werner
Keller writes in The Bible As History, “True to the Olympic pattern, games were played
COMPLETELY NAKED. The body could only be 'covered' with a thin coat of oil!” (p.313).
Naked athletes, only a few steps from the Temple and the Holy of Holies, and in
full view, must have been regarded as a moral outrage.
The First “Great Tribulation”
In 168 B.C. Antiochus plundered and desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem.
Werner Keller,
Writes
“The worship of Olympian Zeus was set up in the Temple of Yahweh.
For taking part in any Jewish religious ceremonies, the traditional sacrifices,
the sabbath or circumcision, the penalty was death. The holy scriptures were
destroyed. This was the first thoroughgoing religious persecution in history”
(The Bible As History, p.315).
The cutting off of the sacrifices lasted 3 1/2 years (see also Dan.9:27 and 12:7). Josephus
declares in Wars of the Jews:
“He [Antiochus Epiphanes] also spoiled the temple, and put a stop to the constant
practice of offering a daily sacrifice of expiation for THREE YEARS AND SIX
MONTHS . . . Now Antiochus . . . compelled the Jews to dissolve the laws of their
country, and to keep their infants uncircumcized, and to sacrifice swine's flesh upon
the altar” (Bk.1, 1,1-2).
In Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus adds these points of fact:
“. . . he ventured to break the league he had made. So he left the temple bare, and
took away the golden candlesticks, and the golden altar . . . He also emptied it of
its secret treasures, and left nothing at all remaining; and by this means cast the Jews
into great lamentation, for he forbade them to offer those daily sacrifices which they
used to offer to God, according to the law. And when he had pillaged the whole city,
some of the inhabitants he slew, and some he carried captive, together with their wives
and children, so that the multitude of those captives that were taken alive amounted
to about ten thousand. . . . And when the king had built an idol altar upon God's altar,
he slew swine upon it, and so offered a sacrifice neither according to the law, nor the
Jewish religious worship in that country. He also compelled them to forsake the worship
which they paid their own God, and to adore those whom he took to be gods; and made
them build temples, and raise idol altars, in every city and village, and offer swine upon
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them every day. . . . but the best men, and those of the noblest souls, did not regard him
. . . on which account they every day underwent GREAT MISERIES [a type of the Great
Tribulation to come!] and bitter torments: for they were whipped with rods, and their
bodies were torn to pieces, and were crucified, while they were still alive and breathed:
they also strangled those women and their sons whom they had circumcised, as the king
had appointed, hanging their sons about their necks as they were upon the crosses. And
if there were any sacred book of the law found, it was destroyed . . .” (Ant., Bk.XII, V, 4).
The period of the abomination of desolation itself -- when the Temple itself was defiled -lasted exactly three years, from Kislev 25, 168 B.C. to Kislev 25, 165 B.C. Josephus tells us,
“Now it so fell out, that these things [the restoration of the Temple by Judas Maccabeus and his army] were done on the VERY SAME DAY on which their divine
worship had fallen off, and was reduced to a profane and common use, AFTER
THREE YEARS' TIME; for so it was, that the temple was MADE DESOLATE
by Antiochus, and so continued for THREE YEARS . . . And this desolation came
to pass according to the prophecy of Daniel, which was given four hundred and
eight years before . . .” (Ant. XII,VII, 6).
This prophecy came to pass, just as Daniel foretold it over four hundred years previously!
But that is not all. As most Bible students are well aware, Bible prophecy is often DUAL!
There is often a previous forerunner fulfillment, and there will be a final, climactic END-TIME
fulfillment as well! Daniel was actually told by the angel Gabriel, “Son of man, understand
that the VISION concerns the TIME OF THE END” (Dan.8:17).
Antiochus Epiphanes lived 165 years before Christ's coming the first time. He did not
live during the true “time of the end.” Therefore, his fulfillment of these cryptic Biblical
passages was only as a TYPE -- a FORERUNER -- of the true apocalyptic END TIME
fulfillment to come in OUR DAY, today! Let’s notice another fulfillment of this prophecy,
which brings us down to our modern generation!
Daniel’s 2300 Day Prophecy in History
It is commonly understood that there is a “day for a year” principle in understanding
Biblical prophecy. That is, often when the Bible says a “day,” the interpretation of prophetic
fulfillment is a “year,” or a “prophetic year” of 360 days.
When the Israeli spies searched out the land of Canaan for forty days, and then returned
to Moses with a negative report, saying the children of Israel were not strong enough to
overcome the inhabitants of the land, God was furious with their lack of faith. So He said to
them, “For FORTY YEARS -- one year for each of the forty days you explored the land -- you
will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you” (Num.14:34).
This same principle of a day for a year is illustrated by Ezekiel the prophet. God told the
prophet, “Then lie on your left side and put the sin of the house of Israel upon yourself. You
are to bear their sin for the number of days you lie on your side. I have ASSIGNED you the
SAME NUMBER OF DAYS AS THE YEARS of their sin. So for 390 days you will bear the
sin of the house of Israel. After you have finished this, lie down again, this time on your right
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side, and bear the sin of the house of Judah. I have assigned you forty days, A DAY FOR
EACH YEAR” (Ezek.4:1-6).
Taking this principle, then, Daniel heard the question of HOW LONG would it take for
the VISION he saw in Daniel 8 to be fulfilled, or accomplished -- from beginning to end. That
is, from the beginning moment when the Grecian “goat” attacked and pulverized the twohorned Persian “ram” -- till the END of the vision, when the “sanctuary” would be cleansed or
restored, during the “TIME OF THE END” (Dan.8:17; also 8:13, and 5-7).
The prophesied length or duration of this vision was to be 2300 “days” (v.13). Using the
“day for a year” principle, we have therefore 2300 YEARS of fulfillment.
Alexander the Great attacked and conquered the assembled Persian army at the river
Granicus in 334 B.C., storming across the river with fury, with only 30,000 troops. In so
doing, he changed the course of the history of the world from that moment, with one world
empire falling, and another rising. Since the prophecy begins with this event, we must count
the 2300 years from that very date. Beginning in 334 B.C., counting 2300 years, we come to
the year of 1967 A.D.
2300 days = years
-334 B.C.
1966 A.D.
(no year zero)
+1
1967 A.D. = year of “Six Day War”
Revealed Prophecy
In the early 1980s, I was studying the 8th chapter of the book of Daniel, on my knees,
pondering the 2300 days. I concluded that the old teaching of the Worldwide Church of God
had to be in error. They claimed the 2300 “evenings and mornings” did not refer to days, but
you had o divide the total by 2, giving you 1150 days. But this figure meant nothing
prophetically. “Evenings and mornings” referred to the evening and morning sacrifices at the
Temple. There was one sacrifice in the evening and one in the morning. So an evening and a
morning equaled one day. So 2300 evenings and mornings meant 2300 days. Using the “day
for a year” principle, this meant 2300 years.
But when did you count from? That was the $i64,000 dollar question. I saw that the
propohecy itself began with the clash between the goat and the ram – that is, Alexander the
Great and the Persian king Darius. The battle that opened all Asia to the Greeks occurred in
334 B.C., at he river Granicus. So I counted from 334 B.C. and arrived at 1967 A.D.!
Checking Adam Clarke’s Commentary, I saw that I was not the first to do this. Back I
1825 Adam Clarke used the same scenario and methodology. Clarke wrote concerning
Dan.8:14 --:
“Verse 14. Unto two thousand three hundred evenings and mornings, yet I think
the prophetic day should be understood here, as in other parts of this prophet, and
must signify so many years. If we date these years from the vision of the he-goat,
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(Alexander’s invading Asia,) this was A.M. 3670, B.C. 334; and two thousand
three hundred years from that time will reach to A.D. 1966 or one hundred forty
one years from the present A.D. 1825” (vol.2, page 598).
Clarke neglected the fact that there is no year zero, or else he would have come up with
1967 – the year of the Six Day War when Israel conquered the armed forces of all the
surrounding Arab states and recaptured the Temple Mount and Old City of Jerusalem!
Another Corroboration
Gene Faulstich, in his book History, Harmony and Daniel, also reached this conclusion
independently. He wrote:
“The he-goat ran unto the ram in the fury of his power. This represents war
between Greece and Medo-Persia which historically and actually took place.
Alexander routed the Persian armies after crossing the Helespont in 334 B.C.;
he defeated Darius Codomanus at Issus in Cilicia in 333 B.C. His final blow
to Persia occurred at Arbela east of Nineveh, two years later, in 331 B.C.”
(page 93).
Comments Faulstich:
“The timespan given for the fulfillment of the Temple is 2300 evening-mornings
or days. In the interpretation of prophecy, it is normal for a day to become a year.
Since the prophecy concerns itself with a Greek defilement of the Temple, it is
Interesting that from Alexander’s defeat of the Persians, who gave to the Jews
permission to rebuild their Temple, to the Jewish capture of the Temple site is
precisely 2300 years.
“Alexander met Darius III the Medo-Persian monarch at Hellespont in 334 B.C.
on the seventh of June. The Persian army was destroyed and Darius fled, leaving
some of his family behind. According to Plutarch, Alexander was about to engage
Darius at the end of the month of Artemisius. The next month (Daesius) was a
month that was avoided by the Greeks for it was thought to be a bad omen.
Alexander caused it to become a second Artemisius, thereby avoiding the
possible engagement at the wrong time. In 334 B.C., the month of Artemisius
extended from May 9 through June 7. Spring was late that year, so Alexander
chose not to make it a leap year by adding one month as should have been.
It seems more than coincidence that the Syrians should open fire on the Jews on
April 7, 1967, which was 120,000 weeks after Darius met Alexander. The
Temple mount was taken exactly 2300 years (solar) to the day, after the confrontation at Hellespont, on June 7, A.D. 1967.
“The prophesied battle between the "he-goat (Alexander) and the ram (Darius
III) took place on June 7,334 B.C. Exactly 2300 years later on June 7, A.D.
1967 the Jews took control of their Temple site again.
“Artemisius 28, 334 B.C. (Alexander vs. Darius) + 2300 years = Sivan 28, A.D.
1967 (Six Day War)
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“At the same time, the king of Greece was overthrown, and Greece was no
longer a monarchy. In April of A.D.1967, military units seized the royal palace,
government offices and leaders, and radio stations. Three army officers then
took the power of a military dictatorship, thus ending the kings of Greece”
(Faulstich, p. 96-97).
Faulstich points out that the Greek Kingdom spanned 2300 years, from Alexander, the
first king, to the last king, Constantine II, who went into exile to Italy in April of 1967.
What else happened in 1967 A.D.? How was this prophecy literally fulfilled? Let’s
review the incredible sequence of events that completed this amazing Biblical prophecy!
The Amazing Fulfillment
In 1967 the state of Israel defeated the combined armies and air forces of the surrounding
Arab nations in Six Days that shook the world. Was this incredible victory foretold in the
pages of Bible prophecy?
In 1984, God Almighty began to reveal to me the most amazing and mind-boggling keys
to understanding Daniel's enigmatic and mysterious prophecy of the “2300 days” (“evenings
and mornings”) found in Daniel, chapter 8. It's time we take another look at this pivotal Bible
prophecy and its awesome, intriguing significance for us today!
In June of 1967 the world was astounded as in Six Days, the small nation of Israel
demolished and devastated the combined land and air forces of Egypt, Syria, and Jordan,
recapturing the Sinai, the Golan Heights, the West Bank of the Jordan River, and the Old City
of Jerusalem. The War that shook the world -- the unbelievable war -- the incredible victory -was reminiscent of the miraculous Victory of the United States at Midway during World War
II, when in five fateful minutes the U.S. fleet --vastly outnumbered by the Japanese vessels five
to one -- destroyed and sank Japan’s four premier aircraft carriers, changed the course of the
War, and blunted Japan’s aggression in the Pacific.
Similarly, in the Six Day War, against seemingly hopeless odds, in less than three hours
the Israeli air force destroyed three hundred Egyptian aircraft on the ground, losing only 3-4
planes in the bargain.
When Jordan entered the war, the Israelis attacked with a vengeance. To many, it was
like the “day of the Lord” in Biblical prophecy. Quickly, the West Bank was seized from
Jordanian forces, and the Old City of Jerusalem, from which Jews had been expelled during the
time of Emperor Hadrian in 135 A.D., once again fell into Jewish hands. The news rang out in
Israel -- “HAR HA’BAYIT B’YADENU!” “The Temple Mount is in our hands!” Throughout
Israel, there was a spontaneous burst of incredible joy and exultation -- newly-weds embraced,
mothers hugged children, fathers and sons danced, comrades in arms shouted with glee,
everywhere Jews embraced, danced and sang: “This is the day the LORD hath made . . .”
David Ben Gurion, Prime Minister of Israel, said in a quavering voice, “This is the greatest day
of my life!”
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It was truly a Day of Nissin v’niflaot -- “miracles and marvels”!
At the time, Herbert Armstrong, head of the Worldwide Church of God, and an avid
student of Bible prophecy, was dazzled, dumfounded. In the pages of The Plain Truth, he
trumpeted: “This is one of the major fulfillments of Bible prophecy!” (“Personal,” June 1967
issue). Was it? But in all the excitement of the time, no one seemed to know precisely which
Bible prophecy this amazing Israeli victory on the battlefield fulfilled!
After having been exiled from Jerusalem for some 1832 years, it seemed like a dream
come true. Once again Jewish feet trod on the holy places of Zion! The enemies of Israel were
vanquished in six days! Who could believe it? Surely the hand of the Almighty was evident in
this spectacular victory -- this momentous epic event!
Could Bible prophecy overlook such a pivotal and critical event? The answer is a breathtaking “No.” Not at all!
The Incredible and Miraculous SIX DAY WAR
Says the Worldbook Encyclopedia in regard to this marvelous event:
“UN troops prevented raids across the Israeli-Egyptian border after the 1956 war. But
Arab raids continued from Syria and Jordan into Israel, and Israeli forces raided those
countries in return. Border clashes increased greatly in the mid-1960's.
“In May 1967, Israel and the three Arab countries all alerted their armed forces for
possible war. At Egypt's demand, the UN troops left the Gaza Strip and the Sinai
Peninsula. The Egyptians then again closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli ships.
“On June 5, 1967, Israeli planes attacked airfields in Egypt, Jordan, and Syria. The
Israelis destroyed the Arab air forces almost completely. Then they defeated the Arab
armies. By June 8, Israeli troops occupied the Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula, and
Jordanian territory west of the River Jordan, including Jordan's half of Jerusalem. On
June 10, Israel captured Syria's Golan Heights. The war was over in six days.
“When the brief war ended, the Israelis controlled Arab territory totaling more than
three times the area of Israel itself. In June 1967, Israel officially made Jordan's half
of Jerusalem a part of Israel” (“Israel,” p.393).
This astounding war occurred exactly 2300 years from the pivotal battle between Greece
and Persia that began Daniel’s vision of the eighth chapter. This furious battle, like its
predecessor 2300 years ago, was fought against overwhelming odds, and the outcome was
decided by Divine Providence. Something occurred during this battle in 1967 which proves it
was the terminus of this ancient prophecy. The Jews seized the Old City of Jerusalem, historic
Jerusalem, and along with it THE SACRED TEMPLE MOUNT, where history shows that
Solomon's Temple, and the Second Temple, were both constructed!
In 70 A.D., Roman armies under Titus and Vespacian, conquered the Jews and destroyed
the Temple. In 132-135 A.D., during the Bar Kochba rebellion, another generation of Jews
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rebelled against Rome -- after which Jews were BANISHED from Jerusalem and expelled
from their homeland by the angry Romans who were furious that they had had to fight two
fierce and costly wars with the Jews in a space of sixty two years. The Jews were a shattered
people. Hope of a Jewish Kingdom was annihilated -- destroyed. The period of Jewish exile -the SECOND major Jewish exile in history -- was begun. It was a time of affliction,
consternation, shame, and worldwide reproach.
Wrote Winston and Randolph Churchill:
“Jerusalem was finally reduced to rubble and the harrow drawn across
its former glories. In the new Roman city of Jerusalem no Jew was allowed
to set foot more than once a year. The practice of Judaism was forbidden
and even circumcision proscribed. Although the Jews remained in Palestine, there could be no further hope of a Jewish Kingdom” (The Six Day
War, Churchill, p.2-3).
But now, incredibly, in 1967, for the first time since those ancient days, the Jews once
again established Jewish CONTROL and sovereignty and authority over the TEMPLE
MOUNT AREA OF JERUSALEM! Gentiles had ruled the region for almost two thousand
years. Now, once again, it was under Jewish control -- and the way was once again prepared
for the rebuilding of the ancient Jewish Temple.
When the Jews conquered the Old City of Jerusalem, wresting it from the hands of the
Jordanians, feelings were at an incredible level. Winston S. and Randolph S. Churchill wrote:
“The Wailing Wall is supposedly the last remains of the Temple, destroyed by the
Roman Emperor Titus in the year 70 A.D. As he stood beside it Dayan affirmed:
'We have returned to our holiest of holy places, never to be parted from it again.'
Ben-Gurion, too, when he visited the wall declared, in a voice charged with emotion:
'This is the greatest day of my life” (ibid., p.141).
Winston and Randolph Churchill conclude:
“Thus, by nightfall on Wednesday June 7, the Israelies had in their hands Jerusalem,
the city of King David, Hebron, the city of Abraham, and all the Holy Land. Just a
couple of weeks before, there were few Jews who would have believed they would see
any of these places in their lifetime. For Jews the world over but particularly for those
who had come to make their homes in Israel, this was the fulfillment of a hope of
centuries” (p.147).
Is this astonishing victory for Israel in 1967 significant? A nation of 2 1/2 million put to
rout the armies and military forces of Arab nations with a combined population of over 140
million. This was “a staggering achievement,” in the words of Winston S. and Randolph S.
Churchill. Colin Legum in The Observor called the Israeli victory “a miracle of arms”
(ibid.,p.194-195). He added that one of Israel's leading soldier-politicians remarked:
“The only analogy I can think of is if Britain had found herself in occupation of Berlin
just three days after Dunkirk. The suddenness of the transformation from a situation of
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acute danger to unparalleled victory is too much for any people to absorb. It will take
time to get over it” (ibid.).
On June 27 three laws were passed through the Knesset annexing the Old City of
Jerusalem and reuniting it with the New City on the next day. Was this amazing Six Day War
significant in relation to Biblical prophecy? Of course it was!
The Awesome Significance
What is the real significance of this amazing fulfillment of Biblical prophecy? Since
prophecy terminates with the year 1967, that year itself must be a key linchpin in the overall
plan of God. It must be extremely significant. Could it be the key pointer that tells us we are
now living in the “time of the end”?
The Messiah, Jesus Christ, told us, “Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass,
till all these things be fulfilled” (Matt.24:34). What is “this generation”? He is talking about
the generation that sees these signs of fulfilled prophecy given in the Mount Olivet prophecy.
Surely the fulfillment of the 2300 day/year prophecy is a major dating key in God's overall
plan. It must pinpoint the “last generation” of which Christ speaks.
In Biblical language, a “generation” is generally a period of forty years (Numbers 14:34).
Therefore, the END of this generation could have been within a period of 40 years frm 1967,
bringing us to 2007 A.D. However, in 1967 the Jews did NOT obey God, and begin to rebuild
the Temple of God in Jerusalem. Even though they recaptured the Temple Mount, Jewish
general Moshe Dayan gave control over the holy site to the MUSLIMS! So an opportunity to
fulfill prophecy and usher in the coming of the Messiah was LOST!
Almost 40 years have gone by since that date! Even as God caused ancient Israel to
WANDER in the wilderness for 40 years, because they did not have FAITH in God to enter
into the Promised Land – they “feared the GIANTS” – even so, this generation lacked FAITH
in God to bring about His promises, and refused to seize the Temple Mount and REBUILD
GOD’S HOUSE! So they, too, like their ancestors, have been punished with 40 YEARS of
strife, trouble, warfare, suicide-bombers, terrorism, Hamas, Hizbollah, and incessant
Palestinian VIOLENCE!
Those 40 years are about up. NOW will the Jews repent of their stubbornness, and
secularism, and lack of faith, and NOW set about to rebuild God’s House?
The time is HERE! The time is NOW! The time has come to make plans to REUBILD
GOD’S HOUSE! This means that the Dome of the Rock, which now stands upon the temple
site, must come down. In its place must be reared up the end-time Temple of the Living God
of Israel!
Could the year 1967 be the beginning point of this final end-time “generation,” pointing
toward the rebuilding of the Temple, and then the coming of the Messiah?
The fulfillment of this prophecy shows that we are surely living in the days called “the
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birth-pangs of the Messiah.” It is only a matter of time.
Herbert Armstrong’s Own Words
Herbert W. Armstrong, founder of the Worldwide Church of God who died in January
1986, did not fully understand the amazing significance of the Six Day War in 1967. However,
he knew in his heart it was very significant. He wrote in the Personal in the June 1967 issue of
The Plain Truth:
“What is the real significance? The Israelis wan a flash war -- a blitzkrieg,
Israeli style! The news reporters do not know what it means! The editors,
broadcasters and commentators do not understand its real significance.
The Israelis themselves do not know what it MEANS! But YOU can know!
For this is one of the major fulfillments of Biblical prophecy!”
Herbert Armstrong went on:
“When One quoted as God foretells, 2500 years in advance, what is going
to happen to every nation on earth of that time, and every principal city -- and
through the years and the centuries IT HAPPENS! -- can you laugh that off
with contempt? Can you ignore that with disdain? The news of the world has
just recorded such a fulfillment -- yet almost nobody UNDERSTANDS!”
How right he was! It was an important, pivotal prophetic benchmark. But it was not yet
“the end.” He did not understand the significance of Daniel, chapter 8, and the 2300 days, nor
the fact that Daniel 8 must be fulfilled as an entirely in the END TIME! There is still a
THIRD, end-time, “latter days” FULFILLMENT of this prophecy!
The Words of Ha Mashiach
In the Mount Olivet prophecy, Jesus Christ, who is the Messiah, whom the Jews await as
“ha Mashiach,” foretold that just before His Second Coming, events would parallel the
apostasy and events during the time of Antiochus Epiphanes. He foretold a time of great and
widespread apostasy (Matt.24:4-5, 12-13), as well as military invasion, occupation, and Great
Tribulation (vs.21-22) such as the world has never before seen! Daniel prophesied of this same
cataclysmic "end time" (Dan.12:1-2).
Jesus said of those coming days, “So when you [His servants living at this end-time!] see
standing in the HOLY PLACE [the rebuilt Temple of God in Jerusalem] the abomination that
causes desolation, spoken of through the prophet Daniel -- let the reader understand -- then let
those who are in Judea flee to the mountains” (Matt.24:15).
Once again the Temple of God will be defiled and polluted by the End-Time “Antichrist”
-- the Beast of Revelation (Rev.13:2-5; 11:2) -- the “Man of Sin,” or “Son of Perdition” (see II
Thess.2:4-10). This “beast,” like Antiochus, will also trample the holy city of Jerusalem for
forty two months, or 1260 days -- which is three and one half years! Thus the tyranny and
cruelty of Antiochus Epiphanes was an EXACT DUPLICATE of the End-Time fulfillment to
come -- even to the exact length of the occupation of Jerusalem and the cutting off of the daily
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sacrifice!
This tells us, therefore, that the 2300 days which were fulfilled by the apostasy lasting 6
years and 110 days in the time of Antiochus was also an EXACT TYPE of an End-Time, latter
day fulfillment to come! This is an example of the DUALITY of Biblical prophecy! What
occurred in the PAST was a “type,” a “forerunner,” of a latter day, END-time fulfillment of the
prophecy! How do we know this prophecy is DUAL and also refers to the LAST DAYS of
this current generation?
“The Time of the End”
Notice Daniel 8:17. We read the awesome, staggering words – “Understand, son of man,
that the vision refers to the TIME OF THE END”! And in verse 19, we read: “Look, I am
making known to you what shall happen in the LATTER TIIME of the indignation; for at the
APPOINTED TIME the end shall be” (NKJV).
How, then, does this amazing prophecy of conquest and desolation apply to our day?
How is it being fulfilled in OUR time?
When will these 2300 days of APOSTASY and rebellion against the truth of God be
fulfilled? How will the END-TIME “Antiochus Epiphanes” – the type of the end-time
“Antichrist” – arise on the world scene? When will the END TIME “Great Tribulation” begin
to settle upon the world like a dense fog of cruelty, brutality, bestiality, and martyrdom of
righteous men and women?
The apostle Paul foretold a great End-time Apostasy from the truth of God, as occurred in
Israel during the days of Antiochus. He wrote, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that
Day will not come unless the FALLING AWAY [apostasia in the Greek, from when derives
our word “apostasy”] comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition . . . The
coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and
lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did
not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send
them strong delusion, that they should believe THE LIE, that they all may be condemned who
did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (II Thess.2:3-12, NKJV).
The New Testament in Contemporary English has this passage in vivid detail, as follows:
“Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen.
First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a
real dog of Satan. He’ll defy and then take over every so-called
god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he’ll then set
himself up in God’s Temple as ‘God Almighty.’ Don’t you
remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you?
Are you memories that short? . . . .
“The Anarchist’s coming is all Satan’s work. All his power
and signs and miracles are fake, evil sleight of hand that plays
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to the gallery of those who hate the truth that could save them.
And since they’re so obsessed with evil, God rubs their noses
in it -- gives them what they want. Since they refuse to trust
truth, they’re banished to their chosen world of lies and illusions.”
This End-time Apostasy has already begun. It is already at work. As Paul foretold, “You
will also remember that I told you the Anarchist is being held back until just the right time.
That doesn’t mean that the spirit of anarchy [lawlessness, rebellion against God’s Law,
antinomianism, or “Apostasy”] is not now at work. It is, secretly and underground. But the
time will come when the Anarchist will no longer be held back, but will be let loose. But don’t
worry. The Master Jesus will be right on his heels and blow him away.”
Will there be an “end-time” WAR like that of Alexander the Great against ancient Persia,
where the WEST conquers a nation in the Middle East which has grandiose ambitions and
which is related to the ancient Persian Empire? Will this WAR lead to another period of 2300
days of utter apostasy occur, leading into the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord? Will it
culminate in the final cleansing of the END-TIME TEMPLE of God, at the coming of the
Messiah Himself? Let’s take another look at this pivotal prophecy for the “end of days.”
The Tribe of DAN
Very few people realize it, but the ancient Alexander the Great was actually a man with
Israelite ancestry. He was king of Macedonia, a region settled by the ancient tribe of DAN.
Wherever the tribe of Dan migrated to, they left a “sign” behind them – the sign of the name of
their forefather “Dan.” They passed through the Dardanelles, and traveled through the region
of the Danube River, the Dnesiter, and Dnieper Rivers, through central Europe, as they
journeyed to Denmark. Many of them finally settled in London, and Ireland.
In Ireland, today, we find their customary evidence -- their place names -- in abundance.
Such names as Dans-Lough, Dan-Sower, Dan-Monism, Dun-dalke, Dun-drum, Don-egal Bay,
Don-egal City, Dun-glow and Lon-don-derry, as well as Din-gle, Dun-garven and Duns-more,
which means “MORE DANS.” The Irish song “Danny Boy” is a reference to DAN. A major
tribe which settled in Ireland was the Tuatha de Danaan, meaning “tribe of Dan.”
There is also a river Don in Scotland, and another in England. These countries, also,
show the evidence of the presence or passing of the tribe of Dan, who migrated with the other
tribes of the northern kingdom of Israel, especially the tribe of Joseph (Ephraim and
Manasseh). Here we find such names -- markers, or “guide posts” as God called them in
Jeremiah -- as Dun-dee, Dun-kirk, Dunbar, Dunraven, E-din-burgh, and Lon-don.
The Danites were sea-goers. “Dan abode in ships” (Judges 5:17). Dan also gave his
name to Sardinia (“prince of Dan”), an island in the Mediterranean Sea. The tribe of Dan had
this proclivity in ancient times as the Bible shows. “And they called the name of that city
DAN, after the name of Dan their father, who was born unto Israel. However, the name of that
city formerly was Laish” (Judges 18:29).
Jacob foretold that the tribe of Dan would “judge his people” and also “be a serpent by
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the way” (Gen.49:16i-17). A serpent, when it slithers and crawls, leaves a trail or track in the
sand. Even so the tribe of Dan would leave signs or "waymarks" showing where it had
journeyed. They tended to leave their "name" behind as an identifying sign! We read in
Joshua: "But the Danites had difficulty taking possession of their territory, so they went up
and attacked Leshem, took it, put it to the sword and occupied it. They settled in Leshem and
NAMED IT DAN after their forefather" (Josh.19:47).
Dan was also a powerful WARRIOR tribe. Moses foretold, “Dan is a LION’s whelp; he
shall leap from Bashan” (Deut.33:22). A “sign” of the tribe of Dan was the “serpent,” as well
as the “eagle.” Samson the great warrior in ancient Israel, was of the tribe of DAN (Judges 1316). For more about this fascinating tribe, read our article on the “Tribe of Dan” in prophecy.
MaceDONia was another region where Dan, a powerful WARRIOR tribe of Israel, which
was the head of the tribes marching on the NORTH side of the Ark of the Covenant and
Tabernacle, as God led Israel out of Egypt, settled. This Philip of Macedonia and his son
Alexander were DANITES!
Is this really significant? Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews, points out that the
Lacedemonian Greek were actually ISRAELITES who had long since left the region of Israel
after the division of the tribes into two kingdoms, during the days of Rehoboam, son of
Solomon. Many had also left during the invasion of Israel by the Assyrians in 721-718 B.C.
Dan’s Tribal Emblem
The tribal emblem of the Danites was a snake with a serpent in its claws. Jacob foretold,
“Dan shall be a serpent by the way, that bites the horse’s heels so that its rider shall fall
backward” (Gen.49:17). Notice that in this statement of identity, Dan is connected with the
motif of a serpent, and a horse Says W. H. Bennett in Symbols of Our Celto-Saxon Heritage,
“The first object to which Dan is likened is definitely stated to be a Serpent. The second is
implied, being mentioned in relation to the first. It is a Horse, or a Horse and Rider, the Horse
usually being white . . . the Serpent and the White Horse remained the emblems of the Tribe of
Dan” (pages 26-27). Later he adds, “When the newly-formed United States of America was
choosing a national emblem, the Serpent was a serious contender for the position given to the
Eagle. Further, the Serpent was the official emblem of several of the military and naval units
of the United States Revolutionary Forces. Dan’s secondary emblem, a Horse, usually pictured
as white and sometimes with a rider, was a favorite emblem of the Saxons long before their
invasion of Britain” (p.47-49).
The emblem of the Eagle is also connected to the tribe of Dan. As the tribes of Israel
came out of Egypt, they marched in brigades, three on each side of the Tabernacle. On the
north side was the leading Tribe of Dan, with Asher and Naphtali with him. The tribes on the
east side were Judah, the Lion tribe, with Issachar and Zebulon. On the west side was Joseph
(Ephraim and Manasseh), the Bull tribe, with Benjamin. To the south was Reuben, whose
symbol was a Man, with Gad and Simeon. Notice these creatures reflect three of the faces of
the cherubim mentioned in Ezekiel, chapter 1! (Ezek.1:10). The fourth face, that of an Eagle,
was connected to the tribes on the north of the Tabernacle, led by Dan!
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Says Bennett, “The outstanding example of the use of the Eagle, the emblem of Israel’s
fourth Brigade, as an emblem of the Celto-Saxon people today, is of course as the central and
dominant figure in the national Arms of the United States” (p.75).
Can we trace the journeys of the ancient Danites to their modern-day locations? Did they
go to GREECE, and eventually to Ireland, and the United States of America?
Writes W. H. Bennett, “According to the legends of ancient Greece, the people who
founded that nation came from Egypt. Though the significance of this has been overlooked by
historians, it should be noted that the time of the arrival of these people in Greece is also the
time of the bondage of the Israel people in Egypt. Further, the ancient writers claim that these
founders of the Greek nation were, in fact, Israelite refugees from the Egyptian bondage.
“Thus Hecacaeus of Abdena, a writer of the 4th century B.C., tells us that the Egyptians
decided to expel all the aliens living in Egypt and that some of these, under the leadership of
Danaus and Cadmus, went to Greece, some to other places but the majority migrated to Syria
(Canaan) under the leadership of Moses” (p.184).
That some of the ancient Greeks were Israelites is quite clear from the history of the Jews
written by Flavius Josephus, a Jewish priest, general, and historian of the first century.
Interestingly, in his monumental Antiquities of the Jews, Josephus records a letter written
by the Lacedemonian Greeks to the Jews in which they express their kinship to the Jews. Their
seal, that of the tribe of Dan, was affixed to the epistle -- an eagle with a dragon (serpent) in its
claws! Josephus quotes the letter as follows:
“AREUS, KING OF THE LACEDEMONIANS, TO ONIAS,
SENDETH GREETTNGS
“We have met with a certain writing, whereby we have discovered that both the Jews are of
of ONE STOCK, and are derived from the KINDRED OF ABRAHAM. It is but just, therefore,
that you,, WHO ARE OUR BRETHREN, should send to us about any of your concerns as you
please. We will also do the same thing, and esteem your concerns as our own, and will look
upon our concerns as in common with yours. . . . This letter is four-square; and the SEAL IS
AN EAGLE, WITH A DRAGON IN HIS CLAWS” (Antiquities, XII, 4, 10).
Says W. H. Bennett, “From an heraldic viewpoint, this letter of the Lacedemonian King
is very interesting for, in addition to stating that the Lacedemonians (Greeks) were brethren of
the Jews and descended from Abraham, it had a seal on it which appeared an emblem whose
main figure was an Eagle, the emblem of the three-tribed Brigade of Dan. This is also
interesting because of the fact that the Israelitish Brigade of Dan was composed of three tribes
and that ancient Greece was settled by three related tribes. Further, the name Dan was an
important one in ancient Greece. The leader of one of the first groups to settle t here was
DANus and the northern part of Greece is still called MaceDONia. Further, ancient Ireland
was partly settled by a people called DANans who came from Greece; and it is interesting, too,
that Scotland was anciently called CaleDONia. That there was a connection between
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CaleDONia and Greece is evidenced by the fact that the people of one of the three tribes of
ancient Greece were called Dorics; that the Doric dialect was harsh and that the people of some
parts of Scotland still speak a dialect referred to as “Broad Doric” (Symbols, p.184-185).
Josephus also notes that the Jewiish high priest Jonathan later wrote to the Lacedemonian
king, conveying his regards, after having gained a great victory over his enemies. He sent
ambassadors to the Romans and “to the Spartans, and put them in mind of their friendship and
KINDRED.” The letter to the Spartans read as follows:.
“Jonathan the high priest of the Jewish nation . . . to the ephori and senate and the people
of the Lacedemonians, send greeting:
“When in former times an epistle was brought to Onias, who was then our high priest
. . . concerning the KINDRED THAT WAS BETWEEN US AND YOU, a copy of
which is here subjoined, we both joyfully received the epistle . . . because we were well
satisfied about it from the SACRED WRITINGS, yet did not we think fit, first to begin
the claim of this RELATION TO YOU, the glory which is now given us by you. It is a
long time since this relation of ours to you hath been renewed, and when we, upon
holy and festival days offer sacrifices to God, we pray to Him for your preservation and
victory . . . .You will, therefore, do well yourselves to write to us, and send us an account
of what you stand in need of from us, since we are in all things disposed to act according
to your desires” (Antiquities of the Jews, XIII, 5, 8).
The Lacedemonians received the Jewish ambassadors carrying the letter kindly and made
a decree of friendship and mutual assistance with the Jews, and then sent the letter to their
Lacedemonian kinsmen.
In Ancient Mythology, Bryant relates that Stephanus Byzantium shows that Alexander
Polyhistor and Claudius Jolaus also speak of a direct relationship or kinship between the
Spartan Greeks and the people of Judaea (vol.5, p.51-52, 60).
Therefore, we see that when Alexander the Great, of MaceDONia, was in reality a great
Israelite of the tribe of Dan. His prowess as a warrior was legendary. He attacked ancient
Persia, as is shown in Daniel chapter 8, with a furious assault. With an army of 30,000 Greek
soldiers, he destroyed the Persian Empire, beginning at the battle of the Granicus River, 334
B.C., and then thoroughly defeated them at at Issus and Arbela.
Says the Adam Clarke Commentary:
“The conflicts between the Greeks and the Persians were excessively severe. Alexander first
vanquished the generals of Darius, at the river Granicus, in Phrygia; he next attacked and
totally routed Darius, at the straits of Issus, in Cilicia; and afterwards at the plains of Arbela,
in Assyria. One can hardly read these words, says Bp. Newton, ‘the ram – which I had seen
standing by the river, ran unto him in the fury of his power,’ without having the image of
Darius’s army standing and guarding the river Granicus; and of Alexander on the other side,
with his forces plunging in swimming across the stream, and rushing on the enemy, with all
the fire and fury that can be conceived” (vol.2, page 597).
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But prophecy is often DUAL! As we saw in Daniel 8, this prophecy was also for the
END TIME! Where are the leading tribes of Israel, today?
END-TIME ISRAEL!
As I have shown in other articles, the modern day descendants of the ancient tribes of
Israel, which traveled to Europe, and those which went into captivity to the Assyrians in 718721 B.C., migrated to Europe, and thence to the British Isles and North America. The United
States today is the end-time representation of those ancient Greeks. Our customs, our
government, is patterned after Grecian democracy.
The United States of America is the leading superpower in the world today. It is located
far WEST of the Middle East, even as ancient Greece was “west” of Persia. Our government
and traditions come largely from ancient Greece, from whence we obtained “democracy” and
all its institutions. Our government is patterned on that of ancient Greece and Rome.
One of our original symbols was the serpent. The motto, “Don’t tread on me,” featured a
coiled snake. Our national symbol is the Eagle. We are a nation composed of the Lost Ten
Tribes of Israel, including a large segment of the tribe of DAN. Irish policemen and judges are
commonplace in major cities such as New York and Boston.
But, as we have demonstrated in other articles, our nation is predominantly of the tribe of
Ephraim, son of Joseph, the holder of the BIRTHRIGHT promises! Our nation was prophesied
to be great, to have “horns like the horns of a wild ox,” and to “push the peoples to the ends of
the earth” (Deut.33:13, 27). As the birthright tribe of Israel, God expects us to RULE in the
world with justice and righteousness, bringing His LAWS to all mankind.
Indeed, America has been the “saviour” of the world during the twentieth century, as the
bastion of democracy and the arsenal of freedom. American forces came to the rescue of
Europe during World War I, World War II, and led the fight against Communist aggression in
Korea, Vietnam, and led the charge against Saddam Hussein in the Gulf War of 1991.
Now let’s take a look at what is happening, right now, before our very eyes! Notice how
this ancient prophecy is being vividly, starkly being fulfilled right in front of us, in OUR
exciting lifetime!
Fulfillment in the End of Days!
George W. Bush, President of the United States, with Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the
United Kingdom, have launched a mighty war against Saddam Hussein, the evil dictator of
Iraq, who has been squirreling away weapons of mass destruction and aiding and abetting
terrorism around the world. The armed forces attacked Saddam with unparalleled FURY and
FIRE, similar to the way Alexander the Great attacked ancient Persia! Even as Alexander’s
forces rushed upon the Persians with FURY, so American and British forces have rushed with
FURY upon the forces of Saddam Hussein – “SHOCK AND AWE,” the military described the
campaign.
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Notice the prophecy, again. The “male goat came from the WEST, across the surface of
the WHOLE EARTH, WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GROUND; and the goat had a NOTABLE
HORN between his eyes. Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen
standing beside the river, and ran at him with FURIOUS POWER. And I saw him confronting
the ram; he was moved with RAGE against him, attacked the ram, and broke his tow horns.
There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and
trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram out of his hand” (Dan.8:5-7).
Our military came from the WEST. Our forces traveled by sea and by air. They hardly
“touched the ground” as they proceeded eastward to seize the offensive.
It is noteworthy that ancient Alexander the Great had a personal grievance against Darius,
the king of the Persians. Darius had endeavored to bride his captains and had labored to induce
some of his friends to assassinate him. Says Adam Clarke, “Alexander, finding this, would
listen to no proposals of peace; and was determined never to rest till he had destroyed Darius
and his whole empire” (Clarke’s Commentary, vol.2, page 597).
It is a fact that there is a personal element in t he wrath of George Bush against Saddam.
After the Gulf War, when his father, President George Bush, Sr., visited Kuwait, during the
Clinton presidency, a plot was discovered, hatched by Saddam, to assassinate the elder George
Bush, and was barely nipped in the bud. In retaliation, Clinton merely lobbed a few cruise
missiles at a few targets in Iraq, and did virtually nothing. It has been left to the son of George
Bush, now president of the United States, to exact retribution for the attempt to assassinate his
father.
Consider this! The United Nations had condemned Iraq’s acquisition of weapons of mass
destruction, but lacked the will to enforce their own resolution. But President George W.
Bush, made up for their failure by his own courage and will. He has led the “coalition of the
willing” in a massive bombardment and assault upon the evil regime of Saddam Hussein. Here
we see before our very eyes a literal END-TIME FULFILLMENT OF THIS ANCIENT
PROPHECY!!!
The dogs of war have been unleashed! Fury thunders through the skies. The ram of Iraq
– a symbol of ancient Persia – will likewise be decimated and its power destroyed.
Interestingly, the Iraqis are descended from the ancient Assyrians. In Scripture, God also
calls the king of the Persian Empire the “king of Assyria” (Ezra 6:22). Thus Alexander the
Great attacked the king of “Assyria,” even as George Bush has attacked an end-time dictator of
“Assyria.”
The “White Horse” in Prophecy
Interestingly, the symbol of the white horse, the secondary symbol of Dan, is also a
symbol of a war-waging world power from the West!
In the book of Job we read that the horse itself is a symbol of war. God said to Job,
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“Have you given the horse strength? Have you clothed his neck with thunder? Can you
frighten him like a locust? His majestic snorting strikes terror. He paws in the valley, and
rejoices in his strength; he gallops into the clash of arms. He mocks at fear, and is not
frightened; nor does he turn back from the sword. The quiver rattles against him, the glittering
spear and javelin. He devours the distance with fierceness and rage; nor does he come to a halt
because the trumpet has sounded. At the blast of the trumpet he says, ‘Aha!’ He smells the
battle from afar, the thunder of captains and shouting” (Job 39:19-25).
The white horse is mentioned in the prophecies of Zechariah, chapter six. The prophet
described four chariots led by horses – red, black, white, and dappled (Zech.6:2-3. These
represented world powers at the four directions of the wind or the compass (verse 5). The
black horse was connected with the north (v.6), the dappled with the south (v.6). The Jewish
Tanakh states that these horses and chariots “are the four winds of heaven . . . The one with the
black horses is going out to the region of the north; the WHITE ones have gone out to what is
to the WEST of them; the spotted ones have gone out to the region of the south; and the
dappled [red] ones have gone out . . .” (v.6). The footnote states, “Emendation yields ‘the bay
ones will go out to the region of the EAST.”
Notice that the white horses are connected to the western region of the earth.
Revelation 6 tells us of a similar prophecy for the END OF DAYS! The apostle John is
told of the opening of the first four of seven seals of prophecy, covering the last days. The first
seal is of a “white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he
went out conquering and to conquer” (Rev.6:2). The second seal was of a red horse; the third
seal was of a black horse, and the fourth seal was of a pale horse.
Using the revelation of Zechariah 6, we connect the white horse with the WEST, the red
horse with the EAST (red Russia, red China, etc.), the black horse with Europe, and the pale
horse with the south – Africa and the Muslim countries.
The ride of the white horse from the west, the white horse being connected with the
brigade of Dan, tells us that at the beginning of the END OF DAYS, the western world power
would go to war, “conquering and to conquer” with a “bow” and arrows – a type of modernday missiles, smart bombs, cruise missiles, etc. We are witnessing that very ride of the
WHITE HORSE OF REVELATION, as the United States and Great Britain have attacked Iraq
with exactly those kinds of weapons!
The “white horse” of Revelation has begin its conquering ride through the last days!
Even as Alexander the Great attacked Persia from the west, even so the United States attacked
modern Iraq from the west.
But what will happen from here? How will this war turn out?
As a result of this war, we read, “Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he
became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable horns came up toward
the four winds of heaven” (Daniel 8:8).
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As a result of this war, the United States will be looked upon as very great, as well its
president, George W. Bush. The accolades will flow. But there will be great distress among
some of the world’s nations. France, Germany, and Russia, as well as China, will be very
displeased. Many nations will respect President Bush for going after a major sponsor of terror
in the world, but others will loathe and hate him. The ride of the white horse is only the
opening scene of the book of Revelation and the unveiling of the seven seals.
George W. Bush, then, with American power, represents the “shaggy goat” from the
West. America and Britain represent the “white horse” of Revelation. But this is just the
beginning of the end-time prophecy! Read our article, “The Times of Jacob’s Trouble – Have
They Already Begun?”
The Little Horn
After Alexander’s victory in the war against Persia and the east, he and his men partied at
Babylon, where he fell ill, and soon died, at the age of 33. Shortly after his death, his two sons
were killed, and his kingdom was divided up into four kingdoms – Seleucus had Syria and
Babylon; Lysimachus had Asia Minor; Ptolemy had Egypt; and Cassander had Greece.
Notice the words of Daniel: “Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he
became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward
the four winds of heaven” (Dan.8:8). As prophecy is DUAL, this means that the victory
celebration after Gulf War II will not last long. For the large horn will be ‘broken.” The
Hebrew word for “broken” here is shabar and literally means “to burst, break down, break in
pieces, break up, crush, destroy, quench, hurt.” This could be understood several ways.
Because of casualties in the war, or because of economic troubles in the nation, President
George Bush could lose the campaign to be re-elected as President. Or, he could become
disabled by disease or injury. Or, some hate-filled terrorist or traitor might take it upon himself
to attempt to assassinate the President, perhaps because of the war against Iraq. Or, some other
kind of religious or political conspiracy could destroy his power. (Interestingly, since the
assassination of Abraham Lincoln, every president of the United States elected n a year ending
in zero has been assassinated or died in office, with the exception of Ronald Reagan, who was
almost killed by an assassin! Since George Bush was elected in the year 2000, this could be a
fateful possibility.)
The prophecy states that out of this scene, instead of ONE superpower in the world, the
kingdom will be divided up “toward the four winds of heaven” – that is, the West (United
States), North (Europe), East (Russia and China), and South – Egypt and Africa (Dan.8:8).
“And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the
south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. And it grew up to the host of heaven;
and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. He
even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifice was taken
away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down. Because of transgression, and army was
given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He
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did all this and prospered” (Dan.8:9-12).
Here we see a NEW world arrangement, following the decline of the great superpower in
the West. FOUR regions begin to vie for influence and world control. Out of one of these, the
prophecy states, shall arise a rule who begins “small,” but begins to consolidate power to
himself so that the WHOLE WORLD follows his leadership. He becomes the HEAD of the
New World Order!
Notice how the angelic messenger describes this man, who UNITES the four world
regions into a world government, probably through the auspices of a strengthened and
revamped UNITED NATIONS!
“And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their
fullness, A KING shall arise, having fierce features [countenance], who understands sinister
schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power [the powerful nations leading
the United Nations will give him their support!]; he shall destroy fearfully [margin,
“extraordinarily”], and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy
people” (Dan.8:23-24).
“Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule [“hand”]; and he
shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise
against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means [“hand”]
(Dan.8:25).
Daniel was then told, “Seal up the vision, for it refers to many days in the future” (verse
26). The vision so astonished Daniel that the color drained from his face (verse 27). It was a
fearsome vision of the future – of things shortly to come to pass in OUR OWN DAY!
The Coming Tribulation
In Islamic tradition Allah’s kingdom will not be established until Moslems kill all the
Jews and subject them to Islamic rule. This Islamic “holy war” is aimed at Christians as well
as Jews. The Moslem war chant goes something like this: “Today we fight on Saturday,
tomorrow on Sunday.” The meaning is, they first intend to destroy Israel and then establish
Islamic rule over all the nations that embrace “Christianity.”
The Western world will unite against the growing threat of Muslim terrorism. The focus
of the struggle will be the Middle East.
The Word of God prophesies: “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all
the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against
Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that
burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered
together against it” (Zechariah 12:2-3).
In ancient times it was Antiochus Epiphanes who led the struggle over Israel, and brought
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on the forerunner of the future “Great Tribulation.” He polluted the Temple of God, destroyed
every Bible his soldiers could discover, and persecuted and killed all who would not forsake
the true worship of Almighty God.
Even so, in these last days, following the great war against Iraq, a man will arise who will
once again lift himself up against the God of gods, the Ruler of Heaven, and he will “destroy
many in their prosperity” (Dan.8:25). He will stop the daily sacrifices in a rebuilt Temple of
God, for a time, and “cast truth down to the ground” (verse 12). He will “destroy the mighty,
and also the holy people” (verse 24). This will be the violence of the end-time Great
Tribulation!
The "Covenant with Death"
How will this all come about? The key is the Middle East. The fight is over Jerusalem.
The whole world is intent on redrawing the map of the Middle East, and to take land from the
Jews and give it to the Palestinians, to create a Palestinian state.
Even Jewish leaders have succumbed to the plot. The Quartet of nations – the United
States, Europe, Russia, and the United Nations – have agreed to establish a Palestinian state in
Gaza and on the West Bank of the Jordan River. They hope that this will lead to “peace” in the
Middle East! But will this agreement, even now being drawn up and fashioned, really work?
God’s Word thunders that it is a complete non-starter.
“Therefore hear ye the word of the Lord, ye afflicted men, and ye princes of this people
that is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a COVENANT WITH HADES,
AND AGREEMENTS WITH DEATH; if the rushing storm should pass, it shall not come
upon us: we have made FALSEHOOD OUR HOPE, and by falsehood shall we be protected:
therefore thus saith the Lord, even the Lord, Behold, I lay for the foundations of Sion a costly
stone, a choice, a corner-stone, a precious stone, for its foundations; and he that believes on
him shall by no means be ashamed.
"And I will cause judgment to be for hope, and my compassion shall be for just measures,
and ye that trust vainly in falsehood shall FALL: for the storm shall by no means pass by you,
except it also take away your covenant of death, and your trust in Hades shall by no means
stand: if the rushing storm should come upon you, ye shall be beaten down by it. Whenever it
shall pass by, it shall take you; morning by morning it shall pass by in the day, and in the night
there shall be an evil hope” (Isa.28:7-19).
The so-called Middle East Peace Agreement will fail to bring peace. It will prove to be
an unmitigated disaster. In God's sight, these accords constitute a “covenant with Hades,” an
“agreement with death.” Their signing represents a major departure from the truth of God -an end-time apostasy. The Peace Agreement is based on worthless promises and tissues of lies,
and hate-filled falsehood. The world should have learned its lesson from the dismal record of
the failure of the Oslo Accords.
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God thunders in His Word: “Woe to the apostate children, saith the Lord: ye have
framed counsel, not by me, and covenants not by my Spirit, to add sins to sins: even they that
proceed to go down into Egypt, but they have not enquired of me, that they might be helped by
Pharaoh [today it would be the prime minister of Egypt, Mubarak], and protected by the
Egyptians. For the protection of Pharaoh shall be to you a disgrace, and there shall be reproach
to them that trust in Egypt. For there are princes in Tanes, evil messengers. In vain shall they
labour in seeking to a people, which shall not profit them for help, but shall be for a shame and
reproach” (Isaiah 30:1-5, LXX).
Peace agreements with the PLO, the Egyptians, and hostile Arab states, will prove to be
worthless pieces of paper -- toilet paper. Rather than seeking counsel of the Lord, the leaders
of Israel have counseled with their enemies, and each other, and vain outside nations which
seek their own agendas in the Middle East. None look to God for His wisdom or counsel or
guidance. As a result, their efforts are doomed to failure, disgrace, and reproach.
“Remove Not the Ancient Landmark”
What does God say about giving up the land of Israel for promises of “peace”? Wise
Solomon wrote, “A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth
[margin, “considereth”] his way. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against
the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD”
(Proverbs 21:29-31).
Solomon warned, “Do not remove the ancient landmark [margin, “bound” or “border”],
which your fathers have set” (Proverbs 22:28).
God told Moses, “You shall not remove your neighbour’s landmark [property line, or
territorial boundary], which men of old have set, in your inheritance, which you will inherit in
the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess” (Deut.19:14).
But God says of the modern princes or rulers of Judah, modern Israel, “The princes of
Judah are like those who REMOVE a landmark [boundary]: I will pour out my WRATH on
them like water” (Hosea 5:10).
There is no doubt that this is a warning not to tamper with or change the territorial
boundaries which God has given for Israel. Once land comes into the hands of God’s people,
which He has promised to them, they are not to relinquish it to others, enemies, thus despising
their heritage and God-given birthright. The modern state of Israel has flagrantly and defiantly
spurned the Word of God and turned their backs on Him.
The End-Time 2300 Days
Daniel the prophet was told that the vision of the daily sacrifice and the transgression of
desolation would last “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be
cleansed” (Dan.8:14).
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This indicates the modern apostasy which includes the period of Tribulation will last for
2300 days. This includes a period of time when the Temple of God has been rebuilt, and daily
sacrifices will be offered on its altar. 2300 days, if we use a Biblical “prophetic year” of 360
days to a year, equals 6 prophetic years, plus 140 days (or an extra 4 months and 20 days over
six years).
This period of time will conclude, apparently, with the coming of the Messiah who will
“cleanse the Temple,” and usher in everlasting righteousness, and “seal up the vision and
prophecy” (Daniel 9:24).
If this period of time begins with the beginning of this end-time prophecy, which begins
with the attack on Iraq, this year – March 18, 2003 – the Jewish festival of PURIM which
coincidentally occurs on this date – the festival when ancient Jews were delivered from their
enemies in the Persian Empire – then it could be that 2300 days from now the Messiah will
come! Or, it could be seven years or 2520 years from now – the period of time or length of
Daniel’s “seventieth week” (Dan..9:26).
The PURIN Connection
Interestingly, on February 28, 1991, General Schwartzkopf of the U.S. army commanded
the advancing armies of the Western Coalition against Iraq and Saddam Hussein to hold their
advance. This was on the evening of the festival of Purim. On Purim, Exodus 17:8-16 is read
in synagogues around the world, in commemoration of the defeat of the Amalekites, and the
defeat of Hamag, the Agagite, and his hordes on the original date of Purim.
It is very interesting that the prime instigator of the attack on the Jews during the time of
the Persian Empire was Haman, the Agagite, who was descended from “Amalek,” a tribe of
cruel and fierce warriors who attacked Israel as they came out of Egypt (Exodus 17). Because
of this, God said, “I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven”
(Exo.17:14). Moses said at that time, “The LORD has sworn: the LORD will have war with
Amalek from generation to generation” (verse 16).
In Hebrew gematria (the study of the significance of numberical values of Hebrew
letters), the name “Amalek” and the name of Saddam Hussein both add up to the same number
– 240! In Hebrew, Amalek is spelled ayin, mem, lamed, koph. Ayin = 70, mem = 40, lamed =
30, and koph = 100, totaling 240. Saddam is samech = 60, aleph = 1, dalet = 4, second dalet =
4, mem = 40, a total of 109; Hussein is hay = 5, vav = 6, samech = 60, yod = 10, nun = 50,
totaling 131. Put together, 109 + 131 = 240! Thus Saddam Hussein is a modern anti-type of
AMALEK, the fierce and cruel destroyer who hates Israel! He will suffer the fate of Amalek!
It seems also incredible that General Swartzkopf stopped his attack on the eve of Purim.
But George W. Bush gave his final ultimatum to Saddam thus beginning Gulf War II on the
very date of PURIM! The destruction of Saddam Hussein – a modern “Haman” or Amalekite
king is thus an end-time parallel of the judgment upon Amalek!
In the first fulfillment of Daniel 8, Alexander the Great was the king of Greece, and
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world ruler for a time. He “Hellenized” the world with Greek values, philosophy, and religion.
In the end of days fulfillment of Daniel 8, it is clear that George W. Bush and the United
States represent the “shaggy goat” from the West that destroys in fury the “butcher of
Baghdad.” America, like ancient Greece, has also imparted its values, culture, philosophy and
life-style to the rest of the world. The English language has “Englicized” the world, and
American culture has conquered much of the world through commerce, pop music, motion
pictures, and ‘Hollywood.” The “American way” is in many respects a modern version of
ancient “Hellenism,” where freedom is paramount, including democracy and religious multiculturalism. These “values” are not all good values, but like Hellenism, they dominate the
world today.
Daniel’s 70 Weeks Prophecy
Daniel was told, in the 70 weeks prophecy, that 70 weeks would pass till the Kingdom of
God is restored on the earth (Dan.9:24). From a command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem
“until Messiah the Prince” would be “seven weeks and sixty two weeks” (Dan.9:25). Such a
command was issued by Ataxerxes II in 357-58 B.C. Counting a “day” for a “year,” 69 weeks
means 69 X 7 days. This means 483 years were to pass till the first coming of the Messiah,
who was prophesied to be “cut off, but not for Himself” (verse 27). Evern so, Christ Jesus
began His ministry in 27 A.D., exactly 483 years after the decree of Artaxexes. He was “cut
off” three years later, in 30 A.D., suffering death by crucifixion on the stake, thus fulfilling this
prophecy! After this, a prince was to come who was to destroy the city of Jerusalem and the
Temple (Dan.9:26), and then desolations would continue in the Holy Land. This happened, as
the Jews were driven into exile by the Romans. Then there is a break in the prophecy timeline.
Verse 27 picks up the final “week” of the prophecy. The final “seven years.” This
portion of the prophecy must conclude with the SECOND coming of the Messiah to complete
he rest of the prophecy (Dan.9:24), and usher in everlasting righteousness! At His first
coming, the Messiah came to die for our sins and to begin His Church. But at His second
coming He will restore the Kingdom of God on this earth!
We read: “Then he [the end-time “prince” or the “Antichrist”] shall confirm A covenant
with many for one week; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an END to sacrifice and
offering” (v.27). Could this be the Oslo Accords, which lasted 7 years, from 1993 till 2000? It
was William Jefferson Clinton who orchestrated those infamous accords, and hovered like a
vulture in the background as Yasser Arafat and Prime Minister Rabin signed the accords on the
White House lawn in 1993. Or could this refer to the present Peace Plan of the Quartet of
nations, imposing their will on Israel and the Palestinians, for seven years – from this point till
2020, or from 2005 till 2012?
These final seven years would time in with the seven seals of Revelation 6 – each seal
representing a “year” in Daniel’s seventieth year “countdown” to the coming of the Messiah.
If this is the case,, then this present year would be the true YEAR OF THE WHITE HORSE! –
the “white Horse” being the armies of the Western powers, led by the United States, going
forth “conquering and to conquer” (Rev.6:1-2). We have proved elsewhere that the “white
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horse” represents a righteous war – white being the symbol of righteousness (Rev.19:8). A
“horse” represents a war-making nation or power (Job 39:19-25). This could place the return
of the Messiah just six or seven years from now – 6 years if we count 2300 days, or 7 years, if
we count 2520 days (seven prophetic years), from this point. Read our articles, “The Times of
Jacob’s Troubles – Have They Begun?” and “End of Days,” and “Armageddon—How Much
Longer?”
Or, on the other hand, as we think is very possible, if not probable, the Messiah may
return in a Jubilee year (and the next Jubilee year counting from the beginning of the Jubilee
years in ancient Israel, is 2012 A.D.), this we can count back from the year of 2012 a space of
six years and 140 days. This would indicate the final period of transgression and apostasy will
begin in the year 2005 A.D. This time frame is the beginning of the Palestinian state’s planned
existence, according to the Quartet of nations pushing this scenario.
During the time between now and the end of this prophecy, the Temple of God must be
rebuilt in Jerusalem, for Malachi, the Lord’s messenger, states unequivocally: “And the Lord,
whom you seek, will SUDDENLY COME to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant,
in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming” (Mal.3:1).
According to Daniel 8:14, the apostasy will last 2300 days. It will continue for 2300
evenings and mornings; “then the sanctuary will be re-consecrated” (Dan.8:14, NIV). Says the
King James, “then shall the sanctuary be cleansed [margin, “justified”].” The Amplified
Version has, “then the sanctuary shall be cleansed and restored.” Says the NSRV, “then the
sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state.”
Could this suggest that during the years ahead of us, the Jews will begin to rebuild the
ancient Temple? -- and that after a short period of time, it will once again be desecrated, with
the “abomination of desolation” installed in the Holy of Holies? – and that this time it will be
the Messiah Himself who will return to “restore,” and “cleanse” and REBUILD a NEW
Temple in Jerusalem, in which He will be worshipped throughout the Millennial Kingdom of
God?
Keep your eyes open!
We will soon find out!